Mobile device and server for task assignments based on proximity and iris image based identification

ABSTRACT

Mobile device for communicating arrival information at a waypoint, communicating that information to a server, receiving a set of tasks (statically assigned or dynamically assigned) for the user (for example, from the server or from another user), displaying the set of tasks to the user, receiving a completion response (successful or unsuccessful) from the user, and proceeding to the next waypoint along a route/trip plan. A coordination server facilitates communication of a list of tasks assigned to a user to be performed at a specified location. Using the user&#39;s iris image for authenticating the user of a mobile device makes mobile task assignment, and other mobile activities more secure.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present patent application is a continuation-in-part (CIP) of,claims priority to, and makes reference to U.S. non-provisional patentSer. No. 14/957,524, filed Dec. 2, 2015, entitled “MOBILE DEVICE ANDSERVER FOR TASK ASSIGNMENTS BASED ON PROXIMITY”, which in turn is aContinuation (CON) of, claims priority to, and makes reference to U.S.non-provisional patent Ser. No. 14/136,655, filed Dec. 20, 2013,entitled “MOBILE DEVICE AND SERVER FOR GPS SERVICES BASED TASKASSIGNMENTS”, which in turn is a continuation of, claims priority to,and makes reference to U.S. non-provisional patent Ser. No. 12/070,268,patented as U.S. Pat. No. 8,700,310, issued on Apr. 15, 2014, entitled“MOBILE DEVICE AND SERVER FOR FACILITATING GPS BASED SERVICES”, filedFeb. 15, 2008, docket number MJ2008GPS2-U1, which in turn is acontinuation-in-part of, claims priority to, and makes reference to U.S.non-provisional patent Ser. No. 12/012,859, patented as U.S. Pat. No.8,588,814, entitled “CLIENT IN MOBILE DEVICE FOR SENDING AND RECEIVINGNAVIGATIONAL COORDINATES AND NOTIFICATIONS”, filed on Feb. 5, 2008,docket number MJ2008GPS1-U1. The complete subject matter of all theabove-referenced U.S. patent applications is hereby incorporated hereinby reference, in their respective entirety.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to a mobile device andparticularly to a solution wherein GPS based services are facilitated.

2. Related Art

Mobile devices are becoming ubiquitous. Children carry them and so doadults. Children use them to ask their parents to come pick them up at amall or a park. Often parents spend a lot of time trying to locate theirchild at a mall when they get a call for a ride. Similarly, childrenwait for a long time outside a mall waiting for their parents to arrive,often in inclement weather. This problem is also faced by mobile userswho travel to a new country on business and pleasure and wait for a taxipickup at an airport, outside an airport or in train stations.

Quite often, a user has a mobile phone with a GPS and may desire to goto a store. The user has to type in an address to activate the GPS basednavigational facilities. The address could be long and comprise of morethan 50 characters quite often, making the user struggle with thepainfully small and cramped keyboard on the mobile device. Quite oftenthe keyboards on a mobile device has 3 letters of the alphabet mappedinto a single key that makes data entry very complicated and tiring.

Often a user has a mobile phone and drives around town. Unfortunately,the various places the user visits is not known to the user's family orhis colleagues at work. If the user's wife had wanted him to buy somestamps when the user was at the post office, she does not have any wayto find out if the user visited or went by a post office while drivingaround town. And the user has no way to automatically determine if hiswife needs him to buy something either.

Quite often a manager is a business assigns tasks to his subordinates toget some work done. However, task assignment, such as assigning homesfor a sales person to visit on a given day, is usually a priori. If anew task comes up that must be assigned right away, there is no easy wayto determine which of the subordinates is the right person to whom thetask should be assigned. Such determination may take several phone callsand timely responses from the recipients of those phone calls.

The vCard standard for exchanging electronic business cards has beenaround for some time and is used for sending email attachments ofbusiness cards. They can contain name, address, phone numbers, logos,URLs and photos. However, they do not really help a user in easilynavigating from his house to a business (such as a store). There aresome deficiencies in the contents of most vCards. Other variations tovCards exists, such as hCard that provide similar features.

GPS satellites have been used for a while for navigation. GPS satellitesdo not actually pinpoint your location as is commonly believed. The 24satellites circling the earth each contain a precise clock thattransmits a signal comprising a time to the GPS receiver in a user'smobile device. The mobile device processes the satellite signals todetermine geometrically where the user is located.

The identification of users of mobile devices is often a challenge—auser might lose his mobile device and an unauthorized access to theservices made accessible on that mobile device often occurs when afinder of the mobile device tries to use that mobile device. Illegalaccess to banking, insurance, and other services provided via a mobiledevice if a common phenomenon, often due to lack of adequate userauthentication, or due to lack of security features.

Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditionalapproaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the artthrough comparison of such systems with the present invention.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operationthat are further described in the following Brief Description of theDrawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims.Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description of the invention madewith reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective block diagram of a mobile web system wherein afirst mobile device with a client software, used by a first user,facilitates sending a location information to a server or to a secondmobile device, enabling the server or a client software in the secondmobile device to communicate a set of tasks assigned to the first userthat are to be completed by the first user after the first user reachesa specific (pre-specified or dynamically specified) location orlandmark;

FIG. 2 is an exemplary snapshot of a client feature selection screen ofthe mobile phone that is presented by the client software that isinstalled and run in the mobile device in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen snapshot of a mobile phone depicting thetasks careen used to review tasks and provide status/responses by a userconducting the tasks; and

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary operation of a first mobile devicethat is capable of receiving tasks assigned to a user when the user withthe first mobile device reaches a destination specified where the tasksare expected to be completed by the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention provides an elegant means of interaction betweenpeople wherein the location information from a first user's mobiledevice is communicated to a second user's mobile device, and to aplurality of other mobile devices, as necessary. The recipients of thelocation information can act upon it. For example, using thecommunicated location information, the second user's mobile deviceguides the second user to the current location of the first user. Inaddition, the user of the first mobile device can be the recipient forlocation information communicated by several other users (for example,communicated by other mobile devices). Also, the recipients of thelocation information can send a task list to the first user's mobiledevice requesting the first user to complete those tasks.

The present invention facilitates communicating, from a mobile device,arrival information at a waypoint, communicating that information to aserver, receiving a set of tasks (statically assigned or dynamicallyassigned) for the user (for example, from the server or from anotheruser), displaying the set of tasks to the user, receiving a completionresponse (successful or unsuccessful) from the user, and proceeding tothe next waypoint along a route/trip plan.

The present invention makes it possible to map a phone number (of abusiness or residence, for example) into a corresponding GPS coordinates(such as longitude and latitude). It also makes it possible todynamically retrieve such mapping information from mobile devices, ifnecessary, with optional user consent.

FIG. 1 is a perspective block diagram of a mobile web system 101 whereina first mobile device 121 with a client software 123, used by a firstuser, facilitates sending a location information to a coordinationserver 141 or to a second mobile device 161, enabling the coordinationserver 141 or a client software 163 in the second mobile device tocommunicate a set of tasks assigned to the first user that are to becompleted by the first user after the first user reaches a specific(pre-specified or dynamically specified) location or landmark. Forexample, a second user specifies what those tasks are that are to becompleted by the first user when the first user reaches (arrives at) adesired location. In addition, based on the location informationreceived from the first mobile device 121, the second user, employingthe client software 163, communicates the set of tasks that the firstuser must complete.

The present invention facilitates communicating, from the first mobiledevice 121, arrival information at a waypoint, communicating thatinformation to the coordination server 141, receiving a set of tasks(statically assigned or dynamically assigned) for the user (for example,from the coordination server 141 or from the second user), displayingthe set of tasks to the first user, receiving a completion response(successful or unsuccessful) from the user, and proceeding to the nextwaypoint along a route/trip plan.

In general, the client software 123 and client software 163 comprisesimilar functionality and are capable of sending/receiving locationinformation (GPS based, navigational data based, etc.), specifying tasksfor another user when the another user reaches a destination associatedwith the location information, communicating the tasks to the anotheruser on his mobile device when the another user has reached thedestination, and receiving a confirmation from the another user that thetask is completed (done), skipped or deferred. The another user employsthe mobile device that also comprises the client software 123.

In one embodiment, the user of the first mobile device 121 can createtasks and assign them to the second user, employing an entry in a PIM137 or contact list available in the first mobile device 121 to identifythe second user and select him from a list. The user employs the clientsoftware 123 for this purpose, wherein the client software 123 employs atask manager module 139 to create/edit/manage the tasks. The tasks canbe saved locally and communicated to the second mobile device 161 whenthe second mobile device 161 (or the second user) sends a notificationwhen approaching a destination or after approaching the destination. Thetasks can be also saved remotely at a task database 181 associated withthe coordination server 141, and communicated to the second mobiledevice 161 when the user of the second mobile device 161 sends anotification when approaching a destination or after approaching thedestination. At the coordination server 141, the task in the taskdatabase 181 is associated with the destination specified, wherein thedestination is also stored in a routes and waypoints database 153.

When the first user using the first mobile device 121 is given a ride tohis house, such as by the second user, using his vehicle (and perhapsthe second mobile device 161 which may be part of the vehicle orseparate from it), the second user can save the location coordinates,such as using GPS coordinates, employing the client software 163available in his GPS enabled second mobile device 161. In particular,the personal information manager (PIM) 177 available in the secondmobile device 161 is used by the client software 163 to store thelocation coordinates, and associate it with the first user's contactinformation available (or created) in the PIM 177. In one embodiment,the second user is prompted to select one or more PIM 177 entries(contacts in the PIM) and associate the location coordinates with thePIM 177 entries. The updated contact information stored in the PIM 177comprises GPS coordinates and other navigational data (includingoptional routes). Such updated contact information can be retrieved instandard formats, such as VCF, and sent as attachments to emails,instant message, etc. When the first user sends an email, and attacheshis contact information, such as a contact information in VCF format,the GPS coordinates typically associated with his address (him homeaddress, for example) is sent in the contact information. In oneembodiment, the first user's current location coordinates is retrievedusing the client software 123 in the first mobile device 121(dynamically, as and when needed) and incorporated into the contactinformation in VCF format that is sent as an attachment in an email,etc.

The PIM 137, 177 entries can be stored at a coordination server 141. Inone embodiment, users can upload (or enter using a webpage) their ownhome addresses and business addresses and corresponding GPS coordinatesto the coordination server 141.

The coordination server 141 offers a service that, given an address,retrieves GPS coordinates and displays it or communicates it. It also iscapable of computing GPS coordinates for a given address. Thecoordination server 141 is capable of providing a contact informationfor a given email address based or a given user wherein the contactinformation also comprises location information such as GPS coordinatesfor the user. It facilitates retrieving contact information in a VCFformat that also incorporates GPS coordinates. The coordination server141 also offers a service wherein a user can retrieve (from his firstmobile device 121, for example) location information for a given phonenumber or email address. For example, a user can use the phone number ofa business and retrieve GPS coordinates for (at least oneoffice/branch/store) the business, or a list of GPS coordinates for oneor more locations where the business has a presence. The coordinationserver 141 also makes it possible to compute geocoding based locationinformation in terms of, for example, latitude and longitude when givenan address or a phone number. The present invention makes it possible tomap a phone number (of a business or residence, for example) into GPScoordinates (such as longitude and latitude). It also makes it possibleto dynamically retrieve that information from the first mobile device121 if necessary, and with optional first user consent. In a relatedembodiment, the coordination server 141 maintains a database mappingphone numbers to addresses (and GPS coordinates or is able to computethem from the address) and it provides GPS coordinates and addresses inresponse to a request by the first user (from the first mobile device121, for example) wherein the first user provides a phone number as partof the request.

In one embodiment, the client software 123 in the first mobile device121 communicates a phone number of a business to the coordination server141 along with the first user's (own user) address or phone number. Thecoordination server 141 determines a detailed route for traveling from astarting point associated with the first user's phone number (oraddress) to the destination associated with the business (as determinedusing the phone number of the business and other related information)and sends details instructions that can be used by the client software123 in guiding the first user to the destination. Such detailedinstructions comprise textual directions, audio directions, maps, placesto see and things to do at those locations, or a combination of these.

In one embodiment, the first mobile device 121 does not comprise a GPScircuitry and navigational software. It acquires a current locationinformation, such as GPS coordinates or an address and communicates itto the second mobile device 161, which comprises a GPS circuitry andnavigational software. The second mobile device 161 receives the currentlocation information of the first mobile device (such as, directly fromthe fist mobile device 121, from the coordination server 141, etc.) andaccepts it, stores in optionally, and navigates to that location.

The user of the first mobile device 121 selects a plurality of addressesusing the client software 123 (that browses through the PIM 137 contactlists for example, or other stored set of GPS coordinates) and theclient software 123 then determines an optimal route (employing thenavigation manager module 129, for example) through those addressesselected. For example, it uses the selected addresses as waypoints anddetermines an optimal route through them, based on time or distance usedas a routing criteria. The client software 123 sends notification toother users along the destination(s) to automatically inform those usersof the “approach” and arrival at those destinations(s). In addition, anyresponses to the notifications sent by the other users from thosedestination(s), are received by the client software 123 and displayed tothe user of the first mobile device 121. The optimal route through thoseaddresses selected by the user can be saved (at the first mobile device121 and also at the coordination server 141) for subsequent sharing anduse. The user can also enter planned/recommended activities forlocations associated with those addresses. In addition, the clientsoftware can retrieve and incorporate those recommended activities froman external server (for example). The user can optionallydownload/retrieve tasks assigned to the user for those addresses. Theuser of the first mobile device 121 can also skip one (or more) of theplurality of addresses identified as destinations along a planned route,using the client software 123. The client software 123 facilitatesre-computing of a planned route (or rerouting in general) and enablesthe user to navigate and travel to the other destinations of interestwhile skipping the specified ones. In one embodiment, both thenotifications sent and responses received are in audio form, althoughthey can be supplemented by textual messages too. In a relatedembodiment, the coordination server 141 facilitates the sending ofnotifications by the first mobile device 121 and the receiving ofoptional responses to those notifications by the first mobile device121.

The first and second mobile devices 121, 161 are one of a GPS enabledmobile phone, a navigational device (such as a Garmin, TomTom, etc.), anavigational unit in a vehicle (such as a car, motorcycle etc.), a PDA,a laptop with a navigational circuitry/navigational software, etc. Theycomprise the client software 123, 163 and navigational circuitry, ingeneral.

The coordination server 141 also comprises a task manager 183 thatfacilitates sending, receiving and storing of tasks by users. Inparticular, the first user can assign tasks to a second user that needto be completed/attended to when the second user is at a destination(such as a waypoint along a route). In one embodiment, when the firstmobile device 121 automatically informs the coordination server 141 (orthe second mobile device 161) that it has reached a certain destination,the coordination server 141 distributes tasks assigned to the first user(of the first mobile device 121. For example, the first mobile device121 may be navigated by the first user, after it has received locationinformation of a destination from webpage or from a route obtained fromthe coordination server 141 or from the second mobile device 161 (whichcan be specified as GPS coordinates, landmark information, etc.). Thefirst mobile device 121 guides the user of the first mobile device 121to that destination. Then the client software 123 of the first mobiledevice 121 automatically sends a notification with a message comprisingthe text “Arrived” when it reaches a destination employing the receivedlocation information, to the coordination server 141. The coordinationserver 141 then automatically retrieves tasks if any that are assignedto the first user to be completed (or to be assigned to the first user)on reaching that specific destination. It communicates those tasks (forexample, as a list of tasks) to the first mobile device 121 where it isdisplayed to the user, prompting the user to review them, and executethem if possible. The user is prompted to enter a response aftercompleting those tasks (for example) indicating completion, failure tocomplete, deferring completion, etc.

The first mobile device 121 comprises the client 123, a processingcircuitry 131, a storage 133 and a GPS/navigational circuitry 135. Italso comprises the optional PIM 137 (such as a contact list client anddatabase). The client software 123 comprises a GPS management module125, a navigational coordination module 127, the task manager module 139and a notification manager module 129. The a GPS management module 125interacts with the GPS/navigational circuitry 135, retrieving GPScoordinates, setting GPS coordinates for a destination to which the userwants to go, interacting with the navigational coordination module 127,etc. The client software 123 facilitates browsing through the PIM 137,selecting one or more users contact information (comprising an address,GPS coordinates or location information in some format, or even a phonenumber) to be used as destinations/waypoints, and incorporating theirassociated locations as waypoints in a planned route (or a routecomputed). If the PIM 137 entries for any user comprises a phone number,the coordination server 141 is employed to retrieve an associatedaddress and/or GPS coordinates that is then employed fornavigating/routing. Thus dynamic routing is possible when thecoordination server 141 provides a dynamically determined locationinformation (such as GPS coordinates) for a given phone number (such asa mobile phone number).

The coordination module 127 facilitates setting landmark informationwhere a user desires to go, guiding a user to reach a destination,following a route (according to a trip plan) to reach a destination,retrieving and displaying a computed route, distance and estimatedarrival time for reaching a destination, etc. The notification managermodule 129 facilitates receiving notification from other mobile devicesand displaying them, sending notifications to other mobile devicesinforming them of a proximity information, approaching information,arrival information, billing information, etc. The second mobile device161 also comprises modules and circuitry similar to those infunctionality that are described here for the first mobile device 121.

The coordination server 141 makes it possible for the first mobiledevice 121 to interact with one or more other mobile devices, such asthe second mobile device 163. It facilitates communication ofnotifications, GPS coordinates, navigational information such as tripplans, routes, landmarks, distances, approaching and arrivalinformation, etc. It also facilitates billing for trip plans shared withothers, trip plans purchased, services accesses such as notification toa waiting user of a first mobile device who needs to know if his ridehas arrived, etc.

The coordination server 141 comprises a waypoint and route storage 143,a registration manager 145, a notification coordination module 147, thetask manager module 183 and a database 149. The waypoint and routestorage 143 stores and retrieves uploaded trip plans, routes, waypoints,bookmarks, etc. A user can upload them for sharing, and optionally billothers for downloading or using them. The registration manager 145facilitates user registration and service access, wherein userregistration comprises creating an account, optionally setting up abilling account, establishing a login and password, and enablingsecurity services. The registration manager 145 makes it possible forusers to register the details of their mobile devices such as one ormore of a phone number, an IP address, a device serial number such asESN or IMEI, MSISDN, a subscriber information, etc. It also facilitatesregistration of phone numbers and other details of friends and familywith whom a user's mobile device is likely to share navigationalinformation, receive notifications and requests for navigation datasharing, etc. The notification coordination module 147 facilitatessending notifications and receiving notifications. The coordinationserver 141 also comprises the task manager 183 that facilitates creationof tasks, assignment of tasks to users, communication of tasks to a useron his mobile device/navigational unit when the coordination server 141receives a message/communication from the mobile device indicatingarrival at a waypoint, and the management of the lifecycle of the tasksand transitions of the states.

The database 149 comprises a contacts and friends list database 151 thatmakes it possible to specify (and control) who gets to participate ininteractions with a registered user, by default. It facilitates mapping(and retrieving) phone numbers to addresses and/or GPS coordinates, forexample. It also comprises a routes and waypoints database 153 that isused to store, retrieve and manage waypoints, trip plans and routesuploaded for sharing by users, those that are made available for sale bybusinesses, etc. The database 149 also comprises an audio and videocontent database 155 that is used to store, retrieve and manage audio,video, graphic and textual content that a user would enter as userspecified data (recorded by the user for example) for a trip plan orwaypoint saved and/or shared by the user.

The database 149 also comprises a tasks database 181 that is used tostore and retrieve tasks for a plurality of users, wherein the tasks areassociated with one or more waypoints. The waypoints are associated withroutes assigned to a user or with a trip plan created for/by the user.The user is expected to execute the tasks at the specified waypoints,and report a success or failure information back to the coordinationserver 141. For example, the user can indicate that a task has beencompleted, has been deferred or has been skipped. Similarly, the usercan indicate if a waypoint along a route has been skipped, in which caseany tasks associated with those waypoints are reassigned to other usersor deferred until the user reaches those waypoints in a future trip.

The coordination server 141 facilitates communication of a list of tasksassigned to a user to be performed at a specified location. The list oftasks is delivered to the user of the first mobile device 121 by thecoordination server (if such tasks exist) when the coordination server141 receives notification from the first mobile device 121 indicatingarrival at a specific location (that may be predetermined as part of aroute, or a destination dynamically selected by the user). The clientsoftware 123 in the first mobile device 121 displays the list of tasks,and collects confirmation from the user that they were completed (ornot). In addition, user inputs for those tasks, in the form of a fromdata entry, audio inputs, textual data entry, etc. are collected, andstored, and eventually communicated (and sometimes immediatelycommunicated, based on configuration or needs, for example) to thecoordination server 141. The list of tasks may be dynamically determinedbased on one or more criteria, or they may be a predetermined list oftasks identified by the user. In a related embodiment, the tasks aredescribed in audio form that a user of the first mobile device 121 canlisten to, and provide feedback to (such as after successful orunsuccessful completion of the task), the feedback being provided in anaudio form (voice inputs for example) or in textual form (or as part ofa response screen presented to use wherein user checks radio buttons,etc.), etc. In addition, a task assignment module provided by thecoordination server 141 facilitates identifying tasks (that areavailable and presumably not completed) and assigning them to the user,as relevant. These tasks can be identified from a general pool of tasksor from a user-specific pool of tasks (that may have been created by theuser himself, for example). Task completions are noted and the pool oftasks are updated, as necessary.

The client software 123 of the first mobile device 121 also comprises atask manager module 137 that facilitates displaying a list of tasksassigned to the user for individual waypoints along a route, promptingthe user to provide a task completion response (for example, done,defer, skip), communicating the task completion response to thecoordination server 141, etc. It keeps track of skipped and deferredtasks to enable a user to complete them later, if necessary. Thecoordination server 141 also keeps track of the response received to thetasks so as to be able to reassign some of the plurality of tasks, ifnecessary, to the same user or to a different user.

In one embodiment, the first mobile device 121 comprises the processingcircuitry 131, memory and storage 133, the global positioning system(GPS) receiver circuitry 135, an iris scanner 191 and a digital camera193. It also comprises the client software 123. The client software,that is executed by the processing circuitry 131, conducts iris basedidentity check of a current user based on data collected by the irisscanner 191, and in response, selectively authorizing access to a taskslist. The task list comprises a plurality of tasks to be completed bythe user of the first mobile device 121, the plurality of tasks havingbeen selected based on a current location of the first mobile device121, a street name associated with the current location, or based on acurrent route being navigated. The client software 123 prompts the userto mark the status of each of the tasks in the task list as “completed”,“skipped” or “deferred” (the use of other or additional task status arealso contemplated), wherein the client software 123 records and reportsthe corresponding task status in a task completion response. The irisscanner 191 comprises a digital camera of its own, in one configuration,or uses the digital camera 193 provided. The iris scanner 191, whenactivated, takes images and makes multiples measurements and collectsreference data points, based on which the authentication of the user ofthe first mobile device 121 is conducted.

The iris scanner 191 comprises a digital camera 193 in one embodimentthat, when activated, employs visible and Infra Red (IR) light such thatthe incident IR light illuminates the eye of the user of the firstmobile device 121 and renders the pupil of the user very black, therebyisolating the iris and enabling the iris scanner 191 to locate thecenter and edge of the pupil of the user, and the edge of the iris, andalso enabling the first mobile device 121 to make multiple measurementsand reference data point collections, based on which the authenticationof the user of the first mobile device is conducted.

In a related embodiment, the images taken by the iris scanner 191comprises an enhanced iris image that is a combination of a first imagefrom a black-and-white camera of the first mobile device 121 and asecond image from a vibrant color camera of the same mobile device, i.e.the first mobile device 121 comprises two cameras, one that is ablack-and-white camera and another that is a color camera.

The client software 123 accepts the tasks list comprising a plurality oftasks to be completed by the user of the first mobile device, inresponse to a notification sent by the client software announcingproximity to, or arrival at a destination. The client software 123 isconfigured to subsequently report those of the tasks list that areincomplete. The client software 123 is also configured to reassign auser selected selection of tasks from the tasks list to a second mobiledevice 161 associated with a second user for completion by the seconduser.

The client software 123 is provided a route comprising a plurality ofwaypoints for navigation, wherein the client software communicates anotification whenever the first mobile device 121 determines that it hasarrived at one of the waypoints, wherein, in response to thenotification it receives a dynamically assembled set of tasks to becompleted while at that current waypoint among the plurality ofwaypoints and at subsequent waypoints.

The client software 123 sends, when prompted, an iris image of the usercaptured by the iris scanner 191, and in response, receives the taskslist for completion by the corresponding user. The client software 123also comprises a task manager module 139 that facilitates displaying thetasks list assigned to the user of the mobile device for execution atindividual waypoints along a given route, the client software 123prompting the user to provide a task completion response at eachwaypoint along the route.

In one embodiment, the first mobile device 121 comprises the irisscanner 191 and a processor configured to execute and operate the clientsoftware 123, the client software 123 capable of sending and receivingGPS based location information and retrieving a first task list based ona current location. The client software 123 is configured to send, whenprompted, an iris image of a user captured employing the iris scanner191 and communicating it to the coordinating server 141, and inresponse, receiving a second tasks lists for completion by thecorresponding user. The client software 123 is configured toautomatically retrieve a third task list for the user based on an irisimage captured by the iris scanner 191. The client software 123 isconfigured to dynamically receive a plurality of item pickup requestsfrom a plurality of businesses, when they are distributedopportunistically to the first mobile device 121 based on a currentroute being navigated or a current location, wherein the client softwareupdates the status of the individual item pickup requests if it receivesa notification of corresponding item pickup. The client software 123authenticates the user, if necessary, while the user is conducting itempickup requests, or while the user is conducting the tasks of the firsttask list, the second task list and the third task list, selectively bymeans of a password challenge, a PIN code prompt, or a iris imageverification using the iris scanner.

The first task list, the second task list and the third task listcomprise one or more of the following: monitoring and reportingactivities, funds transfer activities, authorized payment activities onbehalf of someone else, tasks requiring pickup of items, tasks requiringdelivery of items, purchase of items, ride sharing, skills training,delivery of technical help, photo capture, video capture, turning onelectronic equipment, turning off electronic equipment, a salesdemonstration, security checks and premises cleanup. The various tasklists, some of which are opportunistically assigned to the user based oncertain criteria such as current location and current route, areexecuted by the user and the user is prompted on the first mobile deviceto provide a completion status for each of those tasks. In a relatedembodiment, the user is paid a fee for task completion, and a billingrecord is created at a billing server 185.

The client software 123 is capable of identifying and delivering tasksspecified by the user for communication to a second user currently usingthe second mobile device 161 upon determination of the proximity of thesecond user to a specific destination, or upon receiving notificationfrom the second mobile device indicating arrival at that specificdestination. The client software 123 receives a completion statusresponse from the second mobile device 161 as and when the second userindicates completion of an associated one of the tasks delivered.

The client software 123 receives and processes a user audio request fortasks associated with a specific first location, and subsequentlyretrieves and delivers a list of tasks to be conducted by the user, upondetermining that the user has succeeded in reaching the specified firstlocation.

The client software 123 of the first mobile device 121 communicates atask list to a second mobile device 161, and in response, receives fromthe second mobile device 161 completion status response provided by asecond user employing the second mobile device 161, wherein thecompletion status response comprises, for each task of the task list,one of the following status: completed, skipped or deferred.

The client software 123 in the first mobile device 121 communicates adestination phone number of a business to the coordination server 141along with the user's current address or phone number, in response towhich it receives from the coordination server 141 a detailed route fortraveling from a starting point associated with the user's phone numberor address to the destination associated with the business, and receivesin addition detailed instructions that is used by the client software123 in guiding the user to the destination.

The client software 123 in the first mobile device 121 conducts abilling transaction for tasks completed and is able to provide a tripbill incorporating all the tasks completed during a specific trip alonga user specified path from a origination point to the destination.

In one configuration, the client software 123 in the first mobile device121 communicates a billing request when the user indicates completion ofany task, wherein the billing request is communicated to the billingserver 185.

In another configuration, the first mobile device 121, upon receivinginstructions from the user, forwards a subset of the tasks received to asecond user currently employing a second mobile device 161.

In one embodiment, the client software 123 gathers a witness signatureattesting to the completion of one or more of the tasks by a user of thefirst mobile device 121, wherein the witness signature is provided by awitness. For example, after completion of a specified task in the taskslist at the appropriate location, the user of the first mobile deviceasks a witness (another person) to provide a signature (using a touchsensitive screen and a pen or stylus on the first mobile device 121).The use of audio signatures (audio message of witness that ishashed/encrypted) and digital photo of the witness are alsocontemplated.

In one configuration, the client software 123 of the first mobile device121 provides a map displaying locations where the user successfullycompleted tasks assigned to the user, along with corresponding taskdetails, and also displays tasks that the user failed to successfullycomplete, along with their corresponding locations on the map.

In one configuration, the coordination server 141 communicativelycoupled to the first mobile device 121 comprises at least one processorfor communicating with the first mobile device, the at least oneprocessor operable to, at least receive several tasks for completion,along with a corresponding task sender identification and completionstatus and receive a current location of the first mobile device 121, astreet name associated with the current location, or a current routebeing navigated, from a client software 123 in the first mobile device121. The coordination server 141 prompts the user of the first mobiledevice 121 to provide at least one iris image. It then identifies theuser of the first mobile device based on the at least one iris image.Upon successful identification, the coordination server 141 enablesaccess to services, data, tasks list, etc. The coordination server 141delivers to the client software 123 of the first mobile device 121 atask list comprising a plurality of tasks selected from the severaltasks received, to be completed by the user of the first mobile device121, after successful identification of the current user based on the atleast one iris image. It subsequently receives, processes and stores atask completion status for each of the plurality of tasks as they arereported by the client software 123 of the first mobile device 121.

In some situations, based on mobile device types and devicecapabilities, the at least one iris image of the current user receivedby the coordination server 141 comprises combined iris images, such asthose generated combining an iris image from a black-and-white camera ofa mobile device and an iris image from a vibrant color camera of thesame mobile device. The coordination server 141 is also capable ofcombining multiple images it receives in order to enhance iris imagebased identification of a remote user.

In some configurations, when multiple iris images of the current user isobtained by the coordination server 141 for authentication of the user,the multiple iris images comprise at least one iris image from each ofthe two eyes of the user. The coordination server can select on or moreof the images from one of the eyes of the user for identification, oremploy images from both eyes of the same user.

The coordination server 141 collects a plurality of addresses selectedby the user and then determines an optimal route through those addressesselected. It sends notification to other known and registered usersalong the optimal route to automatically inform those correspondingregistered users of the impending approach of the user towards theirrespective current locations followed by a second notificationindicating subsequent arrival of the user at those locations. In arelated configuration, the coordination server 141, for successfulauthentication of the user, compares at least one of the at least oneiris image received, to iris images stored in a database 149. Aftersuccessful authentication of the user based on the comparison, thecoordination server 141 provides instructions and data to aid completionof the tasks assigned to the user.

In one configuration, the least one processor of the coordination server141 selectively conducts dual iris authentication for the user ifnecessary, wherein the server receives multiple iris images comprising aleft iris image and the right iris image of the user. The at least oneprocessor compares the left iris image and the right iris image of theuser to iris images stored in the database 149, for user authenticationand for selective retrieval of tasks for completion by the user.

The coordination server 141 sends a recapture message to the firstmobile device 121, when iris image based authentication fails based onthe at least one iris image provided, wherein the server selectivelyrecommends an alternate iris image segmentation with better circlelocalization and non-iris region detection, and a better imagecompression technique for the at least one iris image.

The coordination server 141 receives, from the first mobile device 121used by a first user, a notification indicating arrival at adestination, or arrival in proximity to the destination, and, inresponse, the coordination server 141 communicates to the first mobiledevice 121 a set of tasks to be completed by the first user at specificlocations, wherein the set of tasks are those specified by a second useremploying the second mobile device 161, wherein the set of tasks arestored at the coordination server 141 until delivery to the first mobiledevice 121.

The coordination server 141 receives a completion status response fromthe first mobile device 121, wherein the completion status response isassociated with the task list comprising a plurality of taskscommunicated by the coordination server 141 to the first mobile device121. The completion status response for each of the plurality of taskscomprises one of the following status: completed, skipped or deferred.

The first mobile device 121 is provided a route by the coordinationserver 141 comprising a plurality of waypoints for navigation, whereinthe coordination server 141 receives a notification from the firstmobile device 121 whenever the first mobile device 121 determines thatit has arrived at one of the plurality of waypoints, wherein, inresponse to the notification received, the coordination server 141communicates to the first mobile device 121 a dynamically assembled setof tasks to be completed while at that current waypoint, among theplurality of waypoints.

FIG. 2 is an exemplary snapshot of a client feature selection 203 screenof the mobile phone 201 that is presented by the client software 123that is installed and run in the mobile device 201 in accordance withthe present invention. The client feature selection 203 comprises thebuttons/icons list from 205-227 whose selection will accomplish thecorresponding functionality. The various features of the client softwarecan be invoked by a user employing the buttons/icons presented on thisscreen. This screen has buttons/icons such as ‘Create and Sendnotification’ 205, a ‘view notification’ 207, a record audio response209, a capture video/image 211, a messages icon 213, a Download Tripsicon 215, an E-mail icon 217, a Contact (PIM) icon 219, an upload tripplan icon 221, a review current tasks icon 223, a Preferences andSettings icon 225, and a review route & waypoints icon 227. In oneconfiguration, the user is challenged to provide iris identificationbefore the user can review tasks. The user is required to provide irisimages using the iris scanner 191 so that iris identification can beperformed and the user's authorization to assess tasks or conduct otheroperations is ascertained/checked.

When the user selects the create and send notification button/icon 205the client software in the mobile device 201 makes it possible for theuser to create a new notification from a list of canned notificationmessages or make a new one. In particular, the client software makes itpossible to send the notification to another mobile device. For example,a canned notification comprising the message “About to arrive atdestination” is sent to a user of another mobile device to announce theimpending arrival at a destination, the location to which had beenpreviously received from the another mobile device.

The view notification icon 207, when activated, invokes screens thatfacilitate viewing notifications received and notifications sent. In oneembodiment, as soon as a notification is received, it is presented tothe user in a view notification screen. In addition, a ring, or a jungleis optionally play to bring it to the user's attention. The user canalso respond back to the notification, such a response can be providedusing audio recording facilities, selecting an appropriate graphicresponse from a list of pre-created graphics, or by typing text. Therecord audio response 209 button activates audio functions, such asthose that are used to record an audio response, or those used to playaudio responses received. In general, a user can choose to provide anaudio input to a received notification immediately, or in adeferred/delayed manner, using the record audio response 209 facility.

The capture video/image icon 211 starts video recording, digital photocapture or imaging functionalities. It can also be used to reviewreceived video content and play them. The messages icon 213 is used tosend messages, for example an SMS message to other mobile phones andclient computers. In one embodiment, it is used to send a canned message(pre-recorded) to one or more recipients using the coordination server,wherein the canned message (which may be pre recorded by the user orprovided by the service) is either stored and sent from the mobile phone121 or retrieved from the coordination server 141. In this embodiment,the client 123 is transparently used for sending a message.

The Download trip plans icon 215 supports download of interactivecontent such as trip plans, from the coordination server, wherein thedownloaded content is handled/processed by the client 203 for a service.For example, the trip plans may be tagged with an appropriate MIME typeand the client 203 is invoked for content with those MIME types that theclient 203 is registered to (and is capable of) handle. In oneembodiment, Downloads trip plans 215 provides a shortcut through which amobile web browser is started and prompts the user to enter a URL of thedownload site for downloading the trip plan contents.

The e-mail icon 217 starts an e-mail client on the mobile phoneprompting the user to login into his e-mail account for sending andreceiving e-mails comprising notifications, trip plans, etc. TheContacts icon 219 is the user interface to the ‘PIM’ (personalinformation management) available in the mobile device 121, 201, whichfacilitates managing the contact list available in the mobile device121. The contacts managed in the PIM comprises individual entries forfriends/colleagues, etc. and also names of groups of friends, whereinthe membership (individual contact information for the members of thegroup) details are remotely available at the coordination server 141 (oreven at an external service provider website, etc.).

The upload trip plan 221 icon facilitates uploading waypoints, tripplans and associated multi-media content, etc. to the coordinationserver 141. For example, a user is prompted to upload a trip plan thatcomprises a plurality of routes, each route comprising one or morewaypoints and one more associated audio information, video information,pictures, textual descriptions, etc. In addition, each waypoint may onemore associated audio information, video information, pictures, textualdescriptions. The trip plan is stored as an XML file and uploaded as anXML in one related embodiment. Other forms of structuring, organizingand storing the related data are also contemplated. The trip plan isuploaded to one or more servers, such as the coordination server 141.

The review current tasks icon 223 opens a list of tasks currentlyassigned to the user that the user can review and provide a statusinformation or response to. The user can review tasks assigned to him aswell as task lists created by the user himself The user can retrievetasks assigned from the coordination server or those saved locally.

The Preferences and Settings icon 225 facilitates an interface for theconfiguration of the mobile device 201, 121 in terms of its appearanceand performance. The review route & waypoints icon 227 provides a screenwhere lists of routes are presented, along with lists ofwaypoints/landmarks/etc. for each route, etc. The user can view tasksassigned (statically) for each waypoint along a route. Later on duringnavigation, additional dynamically assigned tasks also show up in thelist while those reassigned to another user are deleted automaticallyfrom the list of tasks displayed.

The client feature selection screen 203 also comprises some softkeys/buttons such as an ‘Option’ soft key 229, a ‘Selection’ soft key231, and a ‘Back’ 233 soft key. The default action is the ‘Selection’231 button on this screen (i.e. the client feature selection screen) ofthe highlighted icon when the OK button is hit on the ‘joystick’ 245from the keypad 243.

The client feature selection screen 203 also comprises an “irisidentification button” 251 which when activated triggers capture of auser's iris images employing the iris scanner's own digital camera inone configuration, such that the captured iris images of the user isused for identifying the user and authorizing other actions based uponthe identification of the user. If the user is identified to be anauthorized user, using iris images, who has the rights to conduct mobilebanking transactions and other operations, the client software 123allows such operations. Thus the results of the iris identificationactivities determine if the user will be allowed to conduct such/similartransactions. For example, if the user is identified to be an authorizeduser who has the rights to retrieve tasks lists, or rights to reviewtask lists received, the results of the iris identification activitiesdetermine if the user will be allowed to review or conduct those tasks.

Activating the 241 key from the keypad 243 will open the Options 229functionality, which results in presenting the user with a list in amenu or sub-menu, which can be browsed using the ‘joystick’ 245. The‘Back’ soft key/button 233 will be selected when the key 247 isactivated on the keypad 243, to cancel the current screen to go back tothe previous one.

FIG. 3 is an exemplary screen snapshot 301 of a mobile phone 121depicting the tasks careen 303 used to review tasks and providestatus/responses by a user conducting the tasks. Such tasks aredisplayed in lists assembled dynamically by a coordination server andcommunicated to the mobile device 301, or previously assigned to theuser and stored for subsequent access/display.

The tasks screen 303 comprises a current route waypoints 305 list thatdisplays one or more waypoints 307, 309, 311, 313 associated with acurrent route, sent by the coordination server and dynamically changed(if necessary) by the coordination server or by the user. It alsocomprises a task list 315 that displays all the tasks associated with aselected waypoint, such as LN postoffice 307, which the user can selectfrom the list 305. The user can select one of the tasks in the list 315and provide a status information or response indicating completion, etc.For example, using the task actions 381, the user can indicate if a taskis done 353, skipped 355 or deferred 357. When the user (and the mobiledevice) is in proximity to a waypoint destination the tasks for thatwaypoint/destination is displayed in the task list 315 and the user cantry to complete the tasks and provide a response using the buttons inthe task actions 381.

The user can add a waypoint to a route using the Add Waypoint pane 323.The user can also skip a waypoint from a route by selecting thatwaypoint and activating the skip waypoint button 325.

For a selected task in the task list 315, details of the task aredisplayed in a task details 391 pane/section. In addition, any recordedmessage can be played using the Play button 335. New tasks can bereceived dynamically by the mobile device, such as by triggering areceive button 333.

For example, the details of the tasks to be conducted by the first userof the first mobile device after reaching a previously specifieddestination may have been provided by second user and communicated tothe first user navigating to the specified waypoint/destination. Thefirst user would choose one of the tasks at a time, conduct the task,and provide a feedback employing the task actions 381. The first userwould review the task details 391 if necessary and even listen to audioor video details for the tasks by activating the play 335 button.

The ‘receive’ button 333 is selected by a user to download all thetasks/messages and notifications that have been received by a user (intohis registered user's account, for example). In one embodiment, thereceived data comprise tasks received, responses for tasks completed,etc. The tasks can be sorted by categories or sorted by date/time on themobile phone 121 of FIG. 1. In one embodiment, the tasks received areidentified by a task name/title.

In one configuration, an iris identification button 381 is provided thatenables user identification using images of the user's iris employingthe iris scanner 191. In addition, the user is challenged to provideiris identification before the user can conduct certain operations, suchas reviewing tasks or conducting task completion status reportingoperations. The user is required to provide iris images using the irisscanner 191 so that iris identification can be performed and the user'sauthorization to assess tasks or conduct task related operations isascertained/checked.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of an exemplary operation of a first mobile devicethat is capable of receiving tasks assigned to a user when the user withthe first mobile device reaches a destination specified where the tasksare expected to be completed by the user. The first mobile devicecomprises a client software capable of navigating to one or morewaypoints/landmarks/addresses in a route provided, wherein thewaypoints/landmarks information comprise a navigational data such as GPScoordinates.

At a start & identify user block 403, the processing starts in the firstmobile device when the user starts navigating, and the identity of theuser is checked using iris images captured by the iris scanner 191 (forexample). If the identity of the user cannot be ascertained, the user isnot allowed to conduct some type of operations, such as task retrievalor task reporting of a certain kind or category. Later, at a next block405, the first mobile device waits for receiving route/trip plans, anddisplays them. The user may be prompted to accept the route/trip plan(and thereby provide consent). For example, the user of the first mobiledevice accepts a route/trip plan received and starts following thenavigation guidance provided by the first mobile device. In general,waypoint/destination information is provided in the form of a landmarkinformation, a GPS coordinates, etc.

Then, at a next block 407, based on the current route/trip plan, andnavigational information thereof, such as GPS coordinates or alternativeinformation (such as a landmark specification), navigation to the nextwaypoint/landmark is activated. At a next block 409, when the mobiledevice is at the waypoint/landmark, the user is notified and prompted toconduct the tasks, if any. In one embodiment, the tasks for thatwaypoint are retrieved from the coordination server by the mobile deviceafter reaching the waypoint/landmark. The coordination serverdynamically determines what tasks are to be assigned to the user at thatwaypoint/landmark. In a different embodiment, the mobile deviceautomatically sends a message/notification to the coordination server onarriving at the destination (waypoint/landmark, etc.) and thecoordination server automatically retrieves tasks (from a database orfrom an external system/computer) and communicates it to the mobiledevice.

Then, at a next decision block 411, an attempt is made to determine ifthe user of the first mobile device has any tasks assigned for thecurrent waypoint/landmark/destination. If it is determined that the userdoes have one or more tasks to be conducted, then, at a next block 413,a determination of the status of completion of the tasks is made, and areport is communicated to the coordination server. For example, the userenters one of the available task actions (such as Done, Skip, Defer) foreach of the tasks listed for the user for the current location. Controlthen passes to the next decision block 415 where an attempt is made todetermine if the navigation in accordance with the route/trip plan iscompleted/done.

If, at the block 415, it is determined that there is no morewaypoints/destinations to be visited in accordance with the route/tripplan, then, at a next block 417, a report is sent to the coordinationserver and the operation exits. Otherwise, the operation proceeds to thenext block 407 where navigation proceeds to the next waypoint/landmark,and the user is notified after reaching the that location.

If, at the decision block 411, it is determined that user of the firstmobile device does not have any tasks assigned for the currentwaypoint/landmark/destination, then at the next decision box 415, it isdetermined if there are no more waypoints/destinations to be visited inaccordance with the route/trip plan.

In general, the present invention makes it possible to communicatemultimedia contents along with task lists to the mobile device from thecoordination server. In addition, routes can be dynamically changed andwaypoints added/deleted by the coordination server, such as when a userhas reached a waypoint and completes associated tasks, and thecoordination server determines that it needs to change tasks atsubsequent waypoints, or even to drop or add waypoints. This providessupport for ad-hoc modifications to trip plans and routes, and adhocnavigation with consent of users. Such transfer of navigationalinformation (routes being communicated, GPS coordinates being exchangedor waypoint information being exchanged) from the coordination server tothe first mobile device is useful and timely. In addition, thecombination of GPS coordinate communication with audio messagenotifications and subsequent responses is convenient for the usersinvolved, with the use of keyboards minimized if not altogethereliminated.

The present invention discloses a mobile device comprising a globalpositioning system (GPS) receiver circuitry capable of pinpointing alocation and providing directions to a destination. It employs a clientsoftware capable of interacting with the GPS receiver circuitry andactivating navigation towards the destination. The client softwarereceives a request to navigate to the destination from a second mobiledevice or the coordination server and accepts the request. It thennavigates and provides directions to lead the user to the destination.It also automatically sends notifications to the second mobile device.The client software receives tasks and displays them for the user. Thepresent invention also discloses a mobile web system comprising a servercommunicatively coupled to the first mobile device and the second mobiledevice. The server facilitates sending tasks to the first and secondmobile devices after they arrive at a destination of interest. It alsofacilitates receiving notifications of task completions from a pluralityof mobile devices that congregate at a location, and is able to verifytheir presence, challenge the users for verification/security, etc. Thenavigational coordinates are based on at least one of a latitude,longitude, and height system, earth centered Cartesian coordinates,earth centered earth fixed, earth centered inertial, and east north up.

As one of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate, the terms “operablycoupled” and “communicatively coupled,” as may be used herein, includedirect coupling and indirect coupling via another component, element,circuit, or module where, for indirect coupling, the interveningcomponent, element, circuit, or module does not modify the informationof a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/orpower level. As one of ordinary skill in the art will also appreciate,inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another elementby inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elementsin the same manner as “operably coupled” and “communicatively coupled.”

Although the present invention has been described in terms of GPScoordinates/and navigational information communication involving mobilephones and computers, it must be clear that the present invention alsoapplies to other types of devices including mobile devices, laptops witha browser, a hand held device such as a PDA, a television, aset-top-box, a media center at home, robots, robotic devices, vehiclescapable of navigation, and a computer communicatively coupled to thenetwork.

The present invention has also been described above with the aid ofmethod steps illustrating the performance of specified functions andrelationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functionalbuilding blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined hereinfor convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences canbe defined so long as the specified functions and relationships areappropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences arethus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention.

The present invention has been described above with the aid offunctional building blocks illustrating the performance of certainsignificant functions. The boundaries of these functional buildingblocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description.Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significantfunctions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocksmay also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certainsignificant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram blockboundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and stillperform the certain significant functionality. Such alternatedefinitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocksand sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimedinvention.

One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functionalbuilding blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and componentsherein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components,application specific integrated circuits, processors executingappropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.

Moreover, although described in detail for purposes of clarity andunderstanding by way of the aforementioned embodiments, the presentinvention is not limited to such embodiments. It will be obvious to oneof average skill in the art that various changes and modifications maybe practiced within the spirit and scope of the invention, as limitedonly by the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile device comprising: a processingcircuitry, memory and storage; a global positioning system (GPS)receiver circuitry; an iris scanner; a client software, that is executedby the processing circuitry, conducting iris based identity check of acurrent user based on data collected by the iris scanner, and inresponse, selectively authorizing access to a tasks list; wherein thetask list comprises a plurality of tasks to be completed by the user ofthe mobile device, the plurality of tasks having been selected based ona current location of the mobile device, a street name associated withthe current location, or based on a current route being navigated; theclient software prompting the user to mark the status of each of thetasks in the task list as completed, skipped or deferred, wherein theclient software records and reports the corresponding task status in atask completion response; and wherein the iris scanner comprises adigital camera that, when activated, takes images and makes multiplesmeasurements and collects reference data points, based on which theauthentication of the user of the mobile device is conducted.
 2. Themobile device of claim 1 wherein the iris scanner comprises a digitalcamera that, when activated, employs visible and Infra Red (IR) lightsuch that the incident IR light illuminates the eye of the user of themobile device and renders the pupil of the user very black, therebyisolating the iris and enabling the iris scanner to locate the centerand edge of the pupil of the user, and the edge of the iris, and alsoenabling the mobile device to make multiple measurements and referencedata point collections, based on which the authentication of the user ofthe mobile device is conducted.
 3. The mobile device of claim 1 whereinthe images comprises an enhanced iris image that is a combination of afirst image from a black-and-white camera of the mobile device and asecond image from a vibrant color camera of the same mobile device. 4.The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the client software accepts thetasks list comprising a plurality of tasks to be completed by the userof the mobile device, in response to a notification sent by the clientsoftware announcing proximity to, or arrival at a destination; andwherein the client software is configured to subsequently report thoseof the tasks list that are incomplete; and the client software isconfigured to reassign a user selected selection of tasks from the taskslist to a second mobile device associated with a second user forcompletion by the second user.
 5. The mobile device of claim 1 whereinthe client software is provided a route comprising a plurality ofwaypoints for navigation, wherein the client software communicates anotification whenever the mobile device determines that it has arrivedat one of the waypoints, wherein, in response to the notification itreceives a dynamically assembled set of tasks to be completed while atthat current waypoint among the plurality of waypoints and at subsequentwaypoints.
 6. The mobile device of claim 1 wherein the client softwaresends, when prompted, an iris image of the user captured by the irisscanner, and in response, receives the tasks list for completion by thecorresponding user; and the client software also comprises a taskmanager module that facilitates displaying the tasks list assigned tothe user of the mobile device for execution at individual waypointsalong a given route, the client software prompting the user to provide atask completion response at each waypoint along the route.
 7. A servercommunicatively coupled to a first mobile device, the server comprising:at least one processor for communicating with the first mobile device,the at least one processor operable to, at least: receive several tasksfor completion, along with a corresponding task sender identificationand completion status; receive a current location of the first mobiledevice, a street name associated with the current location, or a currentroute being navigated, from a client software in the first mobiledevice; prompt the user of the first mobile device to provide at leastone iris image; identify the user of the first mobile device based onthe at least one iris image; deliver to the client software of the firstmobile device a task list comprising a plurality of tasks selected fromthe several tasks received, to be completed by the user of the firstmobile device, after successful identification of the current user basedon the at least one iris image; and receive, process and store a taskcompletion status for each of the plurality of tasks as they arereported by the client software of the first mobile device.
 8. Theserver of claim 7 wherein the at least one iris image of the currentuser comprises combined iris images generated combining an iris imagefrom a black-and-white camera of a mobile device and an iris image froma vibrant color camera of the same mobile device.
 9. The server of claim7 wherein multiple iris images of the current user is obtained forauthentication of the user, the multiple iris images comprising at leastone iris image from each of the two eyes of the user.
 10. The server ofclaim 7 wherein the server collects a plurality of addresses selected bythe user and then determines an optimal route through those addressesselected; and wherein the server sends notification to other known andregistered users along the optimal route to automatically inform thosecorresponding registered users of the impending approach of the usertowards their respective current locations followed by a secondnotification indicating subsequent arrival of the user at thoselocations.
 11. The server of claim 7 wherein the at least one processor,for successful authentication of the user, compares at least one of theat least one iris image received, to iris images stored in a database;and after successful authentication of the user based on the comparison,provides instructions and data to aid completion of the tasks assignedto the user.
 12. The server of claim 7 wherein the at least oneprocessor selectively conducts dual iris authentication for the user ifnecessary, wherein the server receives multiple iris images comprising aleft iris image and the right iris image of the user, wherein the atleast one processor compares the left iris image and the right irisimage of the user to iris images stored in the database, for userauthentication and for selective retrieval of tasks for completion bythe user.
 13. The server of claim 7 wherein the server sends a recapturemessage to the mobile device, when iris image based authentication failsbased on the at least one iris image provided, wherein the serverselectively recommends an alternate iris image segmentation with bettercircle localization and non-iris region detection, and a better imagecompression technique for the at least one iris image.
 14. The server ofclaim 7 wherein the server receives, from a first mobile device used bya first user, a notification indicating arrival at a destination, orarrival in proximity to the destination, and, in response, the servercommunicates to the first mobile device a set of tasks to be completedby the first user at specific locations, wherein the set of tasks arethose specified by a second user employing a second mobile device,wherein the set of tasks are stored at the server until delivery to thefirst mobile device.
 15. The server of claim 7 wherein the serverreceives a completion status response from the first mobile device,wherein the completion status response is associated with the task listcomprising a plurality of tasks communicated by the server to the firstmobile device; and wherein the completion status response for each ofthe plurality of tasks comprises one of the following status: completed,skipped or deferred.
 16. The server of claim 7 wherein the first mobiledevice is provided a route comprising a plurality of waypoints fornavigation, wherein the server receives a notification from the firstmobile device whenever the first mobile device determines that it hasarrived at one of the plurality of waypoints, wherein, in response tothe notification received, the server communicates to the first mobiledevice a dynamically assembled set of tasks to be completed while atthat current waypoint, among the plurality of waypoints.
 17. A firstmobile device comprising: an iris scanner; a processor configured toexecute and operate a client software, the client software capable ofsending and receiving GPS based location information and retrieving afirst task list based on a current location; the client softwareconfigured to send, when prompted, an iris image of a user capturedemploying the iris scanner and communicating it to a coordinatingserver, and in response, receiving a second tasks lists for completionby the corresponding user; the client software configured toautomatically retrieve a third task list for the user based on an irisimage captured by the iris scanner; the client software configured todynamically receive a plurality of item pickup requests from a pluralityof businesses, when they are distributed opportunistically to the firstmobile device based on a current route being navigated or a currentlocation, wherein the client software updates the status of theindividual item pickup requests if it receives a notification ofcorresponding item pickup; and wherein the client software authenticatesthe user, if necessary, while the user is conducting item pickuprequests, or while the user is conducting the tasks of the first tasklist, the second task list and the third task list, selectively by meansof a password challenge, a PIN code prompt, or a iris image verificationusing the iris scanner.
 18. The first mobile device of claim of 17wherein the first task list, the second task list and the third tasklist comprise one or more of the following: monitoring and reportingactivities, funds transfer activities, authorized payment activities onbehalf of someone else, tasks requiring pickup of items, tasks requiringdelivery of items, purchase of items, ride sharing, skills training,delivery of technical help, photo capture, video capture, turning onelectronic equipment, turning off electronic equipment, a salesdemonstration, security checks and premises cleanup.
 19. The firstmobile device of claim of 17 further comprising: the client softwareidentifying and delivering tasks specified by the user for communicationto a second user currently using a second mobile device upondetermination of the proximity of the second user to a specificdestination, or upon receiving notification from the second mobiledevice indicating arrival at that specific destination; and the clientsoftware receiving a completion status response from the second mobiledevice as and when the second user indicates completion of an associatedone of the tasks delivered.
 20. The first mobile device of claim of 17wherein the client software receives and processes a user audio requestfor tasks associated with a specific first location, and subsequentlyretrieves and delivers a list of tasks to be conducted by the user, upondetermining that the user has succeeded in reaching the specified firstlocation.
 21. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the clientsoftware of the first mobile device communicates a task list to a secondmobile device, and in response, receives from the second mobile devicecompletion status response provided by a second user employing thesecond mobile device, wherein the completion status response comprises,for each task of the task list, one of the following status: completed,skipped or deferred.
 22. The first mobile device of claim of 17 whereinthe client software in the first mobile device communicates adestination phone number of a business to a coordination server alongwith the user's current address or phone number, in response to which itreceives from the coordination server a detailed route for travelingfrom a starting point associated with the user's phone number or addressto the destination associated with the business, and receives inaddition detailed instructions that is used by the client software inguiding the user to the destination.
 23. The first mobile device ofclaim of 17 wherein client software in the first mobile device conductsa billing transaction for tasks completed.
 24. The first mobile deviceof claim of 17 wherein the client software in the first mobile devicecommunicates a billing request when the user indicates completion of anytask.
 25. The first mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the firstmobile device, upon receiving instructions from the user, forwards asubset of the tasks received to a second user currently employing asecond mobile device.
 26. The first mobile device of claim of 17 whereinthe client software gathers a witness signature attesting to thecompletion of one or more of the tasks by a user of the first mobiledevice, wherein the witness signature is provided by a witness.
 27. Thefirst mobile device of claim of 17 wherein the client software of thefirst mobile device provides a map displaying locations where the usersuccessfully completed tasks assigned to the user, along withcorresponding task details, and also displays tasks that the user failedto successfully complete, along with their corresponding locations onthe map.